Gender Equality and Islam Essay

Islam believes that a cleaning wo homo is not merely subject to man rather she has her own separate and complete entity in solely respects. She has an equal right to that of a man to nourish her religions faculties, serve her faith, acquire education, get a job, do business, own something and benefit herself from it and prove her creativity in an enterprise. She is master of herself in all respects. The religious cheek of this fact is described in the Quran as under For Moslem men and women, for believing men and women for dev discover men and women for men and women who are patient, for men and women who humble themselves for men and women who give charity for men and women who fast for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who remember Allah much- for them all has god prepared forgiveness and a great reward (Al Ahzab 33, verse 55) The characteristics menti atomic number 53d in the preceding(prenominal) Quranic Verse are ten in number. These charac teristics direct all aspects of Islam, Islamic conduct and behaviorism related to the rights of God and of human beings too. The above verse makes it fix that there is no promissory note between a man and a woman in monetary value of worships of God, obedience to Him and the place in the life after death. In fact there is no distinction on the basis of gender.The Quran has laid down the following principle in connection with science of wealth For men is a portion of what they earn and for women is a portion of what they earn (Al-Nisa 4, Verse32) The Sura Al-Nisa fundamentally deals with matters relating to money and other issues that emerge pop of the relationship of man and woman in different capacities in a family Immediately after the above quoted verse an article from the law of legacy has been described and close comes the developments about the mutual contacts of a husband and a married woman. Hence the context makes it clear that the above mentioned verse is related t o the worldly life and that a woman has equal rights to that of a man equivalent acquiring education, doing job or a business, deal of a property and even develop her personality. in that respect are several other Quranic verses which make it clear that there is no distinction between man and a woman on any grounds except in the bearing of a debt instrument (the detail would come in later pages). Both are human beings and both strike rights and privileges. God says I will deny no man or woman among you the rewards of their labours. You are the offspring of one another (Al-Imran 3 Verse 195) Through Sura Al-Tawba, God has declared all Muslim men and women as friends, companions and helpers of for each one other. Thus women are, in no way inferior to men rather they are friends of men and are equal to them. (However, in terms of responsibilities there can be classification, equal a doctor and a teacher, under special circumstances) The true believers, both men and women, are equa l friends to each other. They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil they attend to their prayers and pay the Zakat and obey Allah and His Apostle. On these Allah will have mercy.He is Mighty, Wise.(Al-Tawba 9, verse71) This is why during the prophetic period women used to acquire both religious and worldly education, do farming, take part in vocation and industry and manage their wealth and property About Aisha, the wife of the Holy vaticinator, everyone knows that she has related and confirmed 2210 Hadiths (Prophets sayings) (Sadarat-ul-Zahab vol.1) The books based on the compilations of the history of the long time of the companions of the Apostle reveal the stories of incalcul up to(p) females who had mastery over different fields of the religious familiarity rather several eminent scholars bring home the bacon the knowledge of Islam from them. It was a general practice during those days people used to seek guidance from the wives of the Apostle in the matters of rel igion. There were besides the wives of the Apostle, current other women too who earned repute in this field. Rabi-Bint-I-Mauz was one much(prenominal) famous scholar and the outstanding scholars of Islam interchangeable Abdullah-bin-Abass and Abdullah Bin Umar had been her students. Several people have related genuine Hadiths through her reference.These include Salman Bin Yasir, Abad Bin walid and Nafei-Bin-Umar etc. Fatima Bint-I-Qais had been the tutor of the prominent scholars like Ibn-e-Maseeb, Urwa Bin Zubair and Shabi. (Al-Astaayab-fil-Asam-ul-Sahab) Ayesha the young woman of Saad Bin Abi-Waqas was remarkable scholar and had educated Imam Malik, Ayub Sakhtiami and Hakam Bin Ataiba. (Tazeeb-ul-tazeeb Vol. 12) Imam Shafi, the eminent jurist learnt the knowledge of Hadith from the Syeda Nafisa, the grand missy of Hasan, the grand son of the Apostle. (Wafyat-ul-Aayam-al-Ibn-khalkan Vol 2) Same was the gaffe of the worldly knowledge and wisdom. For character among the femal e companions of the Apostle several were poetess like Khansa, Saudah, Safia, Atika, Muridya, Umm-I-Aiman and several others. In the field of medicine and surgery, Rafaza Aslamia, Umm-I-Mutea, umm-I-Kabsa, Hamne Bint-I- Jahsh, Ummi-I-Athiya, Ummai Saleem and several other women won repute. (Tabqat-Ibne-Saeed, Asaba) It was a usual practice among women to get worldly knowledge during those days. If their number is not remarkable, it was due to lack of re founts.Some ordinary women knew how to read and write and even could manage small accounts. (Tabqat Ibn-e-Saad Vol-8). Some wrote and reply letters. (Al-Adab-ul Musfi) During those days the women used to do farming and looked after their fields. In Bokhari (the collection of Hadith) Sahl Bin Sasd relates the story of a female companion of the Apostle who owned fields and gardens. She cultivated a vegetable named Salq near the bank of a flow rate and used to serve Sahl Bin Saad and others with Salq and Maize when they visited every F riday. (Bokhari) The most(prenominal) authenticated books on Hadith like Bokhari, Muslim, Abu-Daud and Ibni Mauja quote the statement of Jabir Bin Abdullah who narrates about her maternal aunt. She was divorced and was going through Iddat (the three months wait period after divorce during which a woman cant marry). She desired to sell out the fruit of her garden for her living. She consulted the Apostle who advised her to do so as in that case she would be able to give charity and do something for her redemption. This makes clear that the women, during the prophetic perod used to do farming and trade.According to Bokhari, Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakar, the first pious calif and the wife of Zubair used to assist her husband in farming on the fields almost two miles far from her home. Those days the women could freely take part in the trade and business activities. The most respectable woman in Muslim Ummah Khadija was a trader. Many female companions of the Apostle like Khaula. Al-khamia, Saqafia and Bint-I-Mukarrama used to trade in perfume. (Asaba-Fi-Tameez-ul-Sahaba Vol-4) Several event related in Tabqat Ibn-I-Saad exhibit the fact muslim women during the Prophetic period used to take part in agriculture, trade and industry even without the avail of their husbands. The wife of Abdullah Bin Masud was a good craftswoman. Once she told the Apostle that she was adept in different crafts and sold out her prepared goods. She inquired if she could spend her money on her husband and children as they have no other source of income.The Apostle told her that she would get a reward from God if she did that. It is also quoted in Al-Asaba Fil Tameez-al Sahabe Vol4) Once a woman named Khaula Bint-e-Saalba had a dispute with her husband. Both of them presented their case before the Apostle who advised the husband to keep himself away from her until the revelation of an instruction from God. At this Khula told the Prophet of God that her husband wouldt be able to survi ve in that case as he was dependent upon her for his living. A woman named Qaila told the Apostle that she was a trader and sought his guidance in the trade matters. Another woman, Amira narrates that at a time she went to the market along with her maid servant and bought a fish. Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam was also there who bought that fish from her. There are many such incidents related in Tabqat Ibn-I-Saad Vol 8. The most authentic book on this subject. Souda, the Prophets wife was adept in the art of tanning.It is quoted in Bukhari that once her sheep died, she put its skin off, got it tanned and softened it with dates. During that period women performed several tasks collectively as well. The Bokhari kitab-ul-istehsan unfolds that once many women visited the Apostle and requested him to allocate one day in a week for their religious training. The Prophet thus accepted their request. Asma Bint-I-Zahid was good at rhetoric. Once women designated her their representative and sent to the Apostle to make some queries (Al-istaab Fi-Al-Sahab) Women were entrusted with certain responsible positions as well and they proved their worth. For example Umar, the second Caliph of Islam appointed Shafa Bint-e- Abdullah as the toll control officer.